Head Gasket And Consequences

[JK05avensis]

Hi there

I would really like advise here so if you can help many thanks

I bought a late 2005 2.2 d4d avensis in October 2010 with 72000 miles on it. After 3 weeks of no heat in the vehicle I noticed that the engine was running hot. On return to the dealer it transpire that the head gasket had gone! Gutted!

Dealer did a good job and god Toyota to rebuild the engine replacing everything but the block of the engine which was good. However it was disclosed that the head has been replaced at 60000 miles. So I nursed the vehicle for 900 miles and kept an eye on the signs in other head gasket posts in this site.

However today driving to work 1500 miles since replaced gasket I noticed that the engine temp was climbing! On inspection at work I found no coolant was left in the expansion tank and spoke to the dealer topped with 2.5 l of water to get the vehicle to his workshops!

I suspect a major leak in the coolant system but have not seen any signs on the ground around the car. So suspect that this is occurring under pressure.

Suggestions welcome as to the source and if there is an underlying problem with the cooling system or any sources of leaks that others have come across!

Many thanks

[igormus]

Hi there

I would really like advise here so if you can help many thanks

I bought a late 2005 2.2 d4d avensis in October 2010 with 72000 miles on it. After 3 weeks of no heat in the vehicle I noticed that the engine was running hot. On return to the dealer it transpire that the head gasket had gone! Gutted!

Dealer did a good job and god Toyota to rebuild the engine replacing everything but the block of the engine which was good. However it was disclosed that the head has been replaced at 60000 miles. So I nursed the vehicle for 900 miles and kept an eye on the signs in other head gasket posts in this site.

However today driving to work 1500 miles since replaced gasket I noticed that the engine temp was climbing! On inspection at work I found no coolant was left in the expansion tank and spoke to the dealer topped with 2.5 l of water to get the vehicle to his workshops!

I suspect a major leak in the coolant system but have not seen any signs on the ground around the car. So suspect that this is occurring under pressure.

Suggestions welcome as to the source and if there is an underlying problem with the cooling system or any sources of leaks that others have come across!

Many thanks

Hello mate

the reason is simple -- they have not escaped an air from the cooling system fully.

Cheers/Igor

[JK05avensis]

It's going back to Toyota next week for investigations on the work they've done.

I've got to admit lost all faith in the car

Anyone know what rights I have to get the car changed!

[Daveyonthemove]

If you bought it from a dealer under 3 months ago you should be able to reject the car by law.

[t-spiritpete]

Hi there

I would really like advise here so if you can help many thanks

I bought a late 2005 2.2 d4d avensis in October 2010 with 72000 miles on it. After 3 weeks of no heat in the vehicle I noticed that the engine was running hot. On return to the dealer it transpire that the head gasket had gone! Gutted!

Dealer did a good job and god Toyota to rebuild the engine replacing everything but the block of the engine which was good. However it was disclosed that the head has been replaced at 60000 miles. So I nursed the vehicle for 900 miles and kept an eye on the signs in other head gasket posts in this site.

However today driving to work 1500 miles since replaced gasket I noticed that the engine temp was climbing! On inspection at work I found no coolant was left in the expansion tank and spoke to the dealer topped with 2.5 l of water to get the vehicle to his workshops!

I suspect a major leak in the coolant system but have not seen any signs on the ground around the car. So suspect that this is occurring under pressure.

Suggestions welcome as to the source and if there is an underlying problem with the cooling system or any sources of leaks that others have come across!

Many thanks

Hi, sorry to hear your story. The water pump on this engine is prone to failure and they should have changed it during the rebuild, before it started overheating when did you last check the coolant level? I'm not shifting the blame to you here, I'm just interested to know that's all, was it the 600 miles driven after you thought all was OK? If you accept anymore repairs you may not be in a position to hand the car back at a later date ..... but I'm no lawyer.

Regards and good luck, Pete.

[Daveyonthemove]

I think by law, you have to allow them the opportunity to resolve the problem, and then you can reject the car if A) they refuse to fix it, or B ) it can't be fixed.

You should have a minimum of 3 months warranty on ALL used car sales if they are outside of manufacturers warranty, and i'm pretty sure that any fault that arises in the first 6 months can legally be presumed present at the time of sale (making it the sellers responsibility) and any time after the 6 month period it is up to YOU to prove the fault was there at the time of sale, putting the responsibility back on to you for repairs etc.

If you have a serious issue then act sooner rather than later, but if you didn't know about this 'leak' before they told you, then i would question how serious it is, especially if they are advising that it could be fine, and have not tried to scare you into buying a part.

If you are still unhappy, pop back to the dealers and ask for the mechanic to put it in writing for you that it was brought to your attention on whatever date, at however many miles, and he was satisfied that you would be fine to drive it. That way you should be covered if it fails after the 6 month period.

[acetip]

I think by law, you have to allow them the opportunity to resolve the problem, and then you can reject the car if A) they refuse to fix it, or B ) it can't be fixed.

You should have a minimum of 3 months warranty on ALL used car sales if they are outside of manufacturers warranty, and i'm pretty sure that any fault that arises in the first 6 months can legally be presumed present at the time of sale (making it the sellers responsibility) and any time after the 6 month period it is up to YOU to prove the fault was there at the time of sale, putting the responsibility back on to you for repairs etc.

If you have a serious issue then act sooner rather than later, but if you didn't know about this 'leak' before they told you, then i would question how serious it is, especially if they are advising that it could be fine, and have not tried to scare you into buying a part.

If you are still unhappy, pop back to the dealers and ask for the mechanic to put it in writing for you that it was brought to your attention on whatever date, at however many miles, and he was satisfied that you would be fine to drive it. That way you should be covered if it fails after the 6 month period.

i know this does not completly tie in with these post but here goes.

if you go to toyota dealer to purchase for example an auris.there are two on the forecourt of the model your interested in.one is at a £1000 more than the other.this is the one you fancy and as you have nothing to trade in you are in a good position to haggle, its the height of the throttle pedal problems so the toyota car sales are down.

part of the deal you want the car taxed,and a full fuel tank.the dealer is desperate to make a sale.so you get him to agree to sell at say £900 of the asking price.the car is a toyota approved car thats covered by a 30 day exchange option.so your very happy with deal.

then you start having trouble with this car and are not happy as dealer cant sort problem.

so you take up the exchange option,and go for the other auris.but then you only get the price allowence you paid for the car,thers no cash back,just a straight swop for another car.if the replacement car is dearer than you paid then you pay the differece.no free road tax, no full tank.you will get part of the road tax back but will have to pay the full new one on the replacement car.30 day exchange is not fool proof.you can only exchange for what the dealer has.

you cant get your money back and go else where.

[JK05avensis]

@ tspiritpete I did ask when the dealer had it about the water pump but suspect that they left the old one in! I didn't check the coolant level on the car when I got it back at the end of November I know that assuming they had the correct level of coolant may have been a little naive but it really should have been ok. I really don't know what the he'll to do now! Cheers man and no worries.

@ davyonthemove Unfortunately I noticed the engine temp rise and then checked the coolant they did not bring it to my attention. Advised to keep very close eye on the coolant level until next week but otherwise no other advice! Must ask for the advise in writing

cheers for the advice I appreciate it.

@acetip many thanks for the guidance unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to avail of this option as this car pushed my budget over what I had wanted to spend and there was nothing else there that met my requirements.

I'll let you know how this all goes probably be the end of next week by the time I have more news

Once again thanks for the help

[Daveyonthemove]

Sorry, i had read a thread in another section before i responded to yours, and got a bit muddled.

Do a bit of research into the sales of goods act, if you are able to quote your rights to them it could be enough to get them to act.

If they think you will reject the car over this issue (which you could do as the car has been sold to you less than 6 months ago) then it is cheaper for them to fix it and keep you happy then it will be to refund you your money, then fix the car, then try to sell it on again at a lesser price due to depreciation.

Any good manager will see that logic, but you can always point it out to them in a recorded delivery letter if they play dumb with you.

Just be sure of what your rights are and let them know that you know! You'd be amazed how much it helps.

Good luck

[JK05avensis]

As an update. The vehicle returned to the Toyota dealer who originally repaired the head gasket. They located a leak and were persuaded to replace the water pump and connections so resolved that issue. It transpires that when the head went on the original occasion it damaged the heating mixer and matrix of the cabin heater which has been replaced by the garage from whom I bought the vehicle

It is now ready for collection and was wondering do I accept the car to stay on the road or refuse the vehicle and wait to get another vehicle from the dealer? If fact of I get rid of the carat all? Opinions welcome

[Daveyonthemove]

You have no option but to accept the car.

You took it back with a problem and they have (attempted) to fix it as required by law. You bought the car believing it to be perfectly serviceable, so if the repair is complete and no further fault exists, then the car is now in the condition you agreed to buy it in.

Take it away and monitor the issue, and if returns you have strong grounds to reject the car. If it no longer exists then you have no comeback.